FOXBORO, Mass. — Pierre Woods' two-week return to the Patriots came to a halt Friday, when he was released in favor of defensive lineman Eric Moore.
Moore, who is 6-foot-4 and 268 pounds, would easily be the lightest defensive lineman on the Patriots' roster, so it appears the team might use him at defensive end in sub packages with four down linemen. It might be a necessary move because defensive linemen Mike Wright (neck/concussion) and Myron Pryor (back) have been unable to practice this week due to their respective injuries.
Moore, a Florida State product, has spent four seasons in the NFL with the Giants (2005), Saints (2006) and Rams (2006-08). He was on the Panthers' practice squad for the last seven games of the 2009 season and was cut by the Panthers on Sept. 4.
Woods, who was re-signed Nov. 17, was one of the Patriots' practice players of the week during his first week back. He originally joined the Patriots in 2006 as an undrafted free agent from Michigan, but he was released Sept. 4.
It would not be surprising if Woods returns to the Patriots once their defensive linemen recover from their injuries.
